ITALIAN AIR FORCE C-27J SPARTAN

Not surprisingly, given the fact of its being a product of Italian firm Alenia Aermacchi, the Italian Air Force was the first country to begin operating the twin-turboprop C-27J medium transport, doing so in 2006. It has since largely superseded the Aeritalia C-222 (previously G222) on which the Spartan was based, and taken part in multi-national transport operations, not least in Afghanistan. This is a very agile aircraft, as C-27J flying displays in previous years have proved, and one with excellent short-field capabilities. It can serve as a troop and cargo transport, a para-troop jump or medical evacuation platform, an aerial firefighter or a search and rescue aircraft, amongst other roles, and has either been ordered or entered service with the air arms of 11 nations. An example will be on static display at RIAT 2015.